MHI Vestas to open U.S. headquarters in Boston

MHI Vestas Offshore Wind has announced that it has chosen Boston for its U.S. headquarters. The company’s announcement demonstrates a long-term commitment to Massachusetts, advancing the progressive state’s lead in the burgeoning U.S. offshore sector.

The MHI Vestas office, which will open in the coming weeks, aims to help plans for the 800-MW Vineyard Wind project move forward and explore the potential of new offshore projects in other nearby states.

“The Baker-Polito Administration was proud to secure the largest single procurement of offshore wind by any state in the country, and MHI Vestas’ selection of Massachusetts for its North American headquarters is one of a series of initial steps that will support the Commonwealth remaining a national leader for this emerging industry,” said Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker.

The MHI Vestas office, which will officially open in the coming weeks, will be led by wind industry veteran, Jason Folsom, the company’s U.S. National Sales Director. Additional administrative staff will be hired in the coming months as the company progresses its plans for the 800-MW Vineyard Wind project as well as exploring potential projects in nearby states.

“We look forward to helping lead this new frontier for American energy and establishing a hub for offshore wind development on the East Coast through continued collaboration with MHI Vestas and the rest of the offshore wind industry,” added Gov.Baker.

Massachusetts Senate President, Karen E. Spilka, said, “We are excited to welcome the headquarters of MHI Vestas to Massachusetts. This is another example of how, by working together to be a leader in environmental innovation, our Commonwealth can attract the businesses and technologies that will help us create a clean energy future. This is important not only to our economy but to the long-term health of our environment.”

Up first for MHI Vestas in the U.S. will be the 800-MW Vineyard Wind project off the coast of Martha’s Vineyard. With a scheduled installation in 2021, this will be the first large-scale offshore wind park in the U.S., will feature the industry-leading V164-9.5 MW turbine, and will provide enough wind energy to power 450,000 Massachusetts homes.

“Vineyard Wind is very proud that our competitive bid for cost-effective offshore wind generation is bringing the world’s most powerful offshore wind turbines to Massachusetts and we applaud the decision of MHI Vestas Offshore Wind to establish its North American headquarters here in the Commonwealth,” said Lars Pedersen, CEO of Vineyard Wind. “By delivering new jobs, innovation and locally produced carbon-free energy, Vineyard Wind and MHI Vestas are setting the stage for a new industry in the Bay State.”

The Vineyard Wind project is large enough to serve as a catalyst for the build-up of a local supply chain in the region. Once the turbine supply order is confirmed, MHI Vestas will ramp up the process of local hiring and supply chain investment to support the project as it nears the construction phase.

The Vineyard Wind and MHI Vestas partnership advances the ambitious vision of the Massachusetts Legislature and Governor Baker who in 2016 passed bipartisan, comprehensive energy diversification legislation requiring utilities to competitively solicit and contract for approximately 1,600MW of offshore wind.

Then in 2018 Massachusetts furthered its commitment to offshore wind with legislation calling for the review of the cost-benefits of an additional 1,600MW of offshore wind by 2035.

Wind Talk Podcasts

Windpower Editor Michelle Froese interviews the industry's biggest newsmakers and allows them to tell their stories.

Windpower Engineering & Development Digital Edition

Browse the most current issue of Windpower Engineering & Development and back issues in an easy to use high quality format. Clip, share and download with the leading wind power engineering magazine today.